Dr Stephen Dunn, from the NHS in the East of England, said the hospital will continue to be paid at NHS rates for its work while it is being run by Circle.

BBC: Circle in deal to run Hinchingbrooke NHS hospital

Strikes in essential industries were running at less than a third their 1970s' level by the 1990s, according to an analysis by Stephen Dunn and David Metcalf, two industrial-relations academics, published on March 3rd by the Employment Policy Institute.

ECONOMIST: Strikes

Already struggling at the gate and in the standings, the Nats desperation grew following the losses of pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg to injury and Dunn to free agency.

FORBES: Winter Meetings: Owners Still Drawing the Line on Long Term Deals